Karen Pletz

Karen L. Pletz knows a thing or two about accomplishments, which is why her most recent achievement, being selected the 2004 Woman of the Year by the Central Exchange, is particularly satisfying. "There are so many women who were deserving of this award," says Pletz. "It's certainly one of the highest honors I've ever received."

Such recognition is something of a habit for Pletz, as the selection is yet the latest jewel in a series of crowning achievements. A native of Kansas City, Pletz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri. She is also a graduate of Harvard Medical School's Program for Leaders in Medical Education and of Rutgers University's Stonier Graduate School of Banking. Pletz currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (formerly known as the University of Health Sciences).

As an established leader, Pletz has found herself in key positions in national and community health care, corporate and service organizations, recently becoming chairperson of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She also serves on the boards of the primary economic development arm for the Kansas City region, the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City Public Television, Central Bank, Rockhurst University, Midwest Bioethics Center, Inc., Kansas City Southern, Swope Community Enterprises, and the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City. This long list of achievements warranted Pletz's appointment by Missouri's attorney general as an inaugural board member of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City--A Rising Tide, the largest healthcare foundation in the region.

Pletz is also active in community service. She chaired the Alexis de Tocqueville Society Leadership Giving Division for the Heart of America United Way, and the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Commis-sion. In 2001, Pletz was appointed to the Governor's Business Education Roundtable for the state of Missouri, leading the state in formulating strategies to address critical issues in public education. Pletz also serves as a special advisor to Mayor Kay Barnes.

Lori Lober

Unlike most people, Lori Lober knows what qualifies as a miracle. "Every time I take a major test and there's no sign of disease, it's a miracle," says Lober, a cancer survivor and recent recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Missourian of the Year award. "But, definitely, being recognized with this award ranks right at the top."

Lober was selected for her work in the Touched by Cancer Foundation, which she began in 2002. Lober's first brush with cancer came in 1998, when she found a suspicious lump in her breast. A visit to doctors revealed that the lump was the result of a non-cancerous fibrocystic disease. But in 2000, after feeling increasingly ill since her examination two years earlier, Lober went to another doctor. The next day she learned she had cancer. She was given only 18 months to live.

Through extensive research, holistic remedies and many trips to a variety of specialists, Lober has beaten back the cancer, which has been in full remission for the last few years. The life-altering experience left Lober deeply touched by the support she received from friends and family, causing her to form the Touched by Cancer Foundation to help and give hope to others "touched by cancer." In the foundation's short existence, it has become a leading support center for cancer survivors and victims. The foundation hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament, an annual tennis tournament, and a number of other fund-raising events for cancer research and support. For her work with the foundation, Lober was recently honored in New York as being among the leading national advocates for cancer awareness.

Before her diagnosis, Lober worked in the real estate and new housing industries for over 20 years, becoming Matrix Realty, Inc.'s 1986 Employee of the Year. In 1988, she won Rookie of the Year in residential sales for Metro KC Coldwell Banker. In 1992 and 1993, Lober worked in a variety of philanthropic efforts, serving as the coordinator for the Royals Wives' Show Home for Charities benefiting Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, the RBI Program (Reviving Baseball in the Inner-city) and the Steve Palermo Foundation. Provence Homes by John Lober--for which Lori Lober acts as principle--was recently voted by Ingram's readers as Kansas City's Best Home Builder.